There are hundreds of lists of things to do in the USA or individual states like Hawaii, but we’ve come up with one thing in every state plus D.C. in 21 different categories. Truly something for everyone, from historic places to foods you have to try, from the downright quirky to amazing museums, and from weird places to stay to fun things to do. Our primary criteria were we have or want to see them, and they are things you can physically visit or try.
A map showing the location of everything on our bucket list for the Aloha State can be found at the end of the post.
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HISTORIC PLACE: PEARL HARBOR
At 7:48 a.m. local time on 7th December 1941, 353 Imperial Japanese aircraft launched a surprise attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor. The devastating attack sank four battleships and damaged the other four that were in the harbour at the time. Three of the sunk ships were raised and returned to service, but the USS Arizona still lies in the harbour as a moving memorial to the attack.
Read Reviews for Pearl Harbor | 1 Arizona Memorial Rd, Honolulu, Hawaii 96818
FAMOUS PERSON: CAPTAIN COOK
Photos by Anson Chappell | CC BY-ND 2.0 and apasciuto | CC BY 2.0
Captain James Cook was the first recorded European to arrive in Hawaii, as well as the East Coast of Australia. The two monuments above are placed at the rough initial location of his first landing and the site of his killing in 1779.
9944 Kahakai Rd, Waimea, Hawaii 96796 | Kealakekua Bay State Park, Captain Cook, Hawaii 96704
NATURAL WONDER: ‘AKAKA FALLS STATE PARK
‘Akaka Falls State Park takes its name from the stunning waterfall pictured above. The waters fall 442 ft (135m) between lush greenery into the pool below, where they can often make a gorgeous rainbow.
Read Reviews for Akaka Falls State Park | Akaka Falls Rd, Honomu, Hawaii 96728
FOOD & DRINK: AHI POKE AND HAWAIIAN SUN
Photos by Arnold Gatilao | CC BY 2.0 and reproduced with kind permission of Hawaiian Sun Products Inc.
Ahi Poke is raw yellowfin or bigeye tuna, seasoned and served with other ingredients such as Maui onions, roasted salted candlenut and soy sauce. Not something I’m keen to try; I prefer my food cooked! But if you give it go, wash it down with Hawaiian Sun which comes in a broad choice of fruit combinations.
FACTORY TOUR: BIG WIND KITE FACTORY
Photo reproduced with kind permission of Leon Pierce
Hand made to their own exclusive designs, the Big Wind Kite Factory has been crafting colourful kites since 1980.
120 Mauna Loa Hwy, Maunaloa, Hawaii 96770
MAN-MADE: BYODO-IN TEMPLE
This non-denominational temple is a half-size replica of the temple with the same name near Kyoto, Japan. Built it 1968, it commemorates 100 years of Japanese immigration to Hawaii.
Read Reviews for Byodo-In Temple | 47-200 Kahekili Hwy, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744
RECORD-BREAKING: MAUNA KEA
Taller than Mount Everest, Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain on Earth, if measured from its base, rather than from sea level. But with half of its height underwater, it only stretches 13,800 ft (4,200m), well short of Everest’s peak.
Read Reviews of Mauna Kea | Mauna Kea Access Rd, Hawaii
READ MORE: See what we found in the rest of the USA
QUIRKY RECORD: WORLD’S LARGEST MAZE
Photo by Smart Destinations | CC BY-SA 2.0
This pineapple themed maze in the Dole plantation is the world’s largest. No prizes for guessing what they grow here! Not sure? Maybe it will come to you as you ride their Pineapple Express train. :-)
Read Reviews of Dole Plantation | 64-1550 Kamehameha Hwy, Wahiawa, Hawaii 96786
ACTIVITY: LEARN TO SURF
Ok, you aren’t going to be replicating the action in the picture just yet, but why not try your hand at surfing on some of the world’s best waves?
1900 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, Hawaii 96753
ATLAS OBSCURA: KAUMANA CAVES
Photo by Bill Hails | CC BY-ND 2.0
Explore a real lava tube that was created by the eruption of Mauna Loa in 1881.
Read Reviews of Kaumana Caves Park | 1492 Kaumana Dr, Hilo, Hawaii 96720
MOST VISITED: WAIKIKI BEACH
The most famous beach in Hawaii; enjoy a dip in deep blue water or just chill out on the sand.
Read Reviews for Waikiki Beach | Waikīkī Beach, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
STATE/NATIONAL PARK: HAWAI’I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
Photo by Thomas Tunsch | CC BY-SA 2.0
Encompassing TWO active volcanoes, this aptly named national park allows you to see molten rock shaping new land in front of your eyes.
Read Reviews for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park | Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii 96718
EVENT: ALOHA FESTIVALS
Photo by jongela19 | CC BY-ND 2.0
The only statewide cultural festival in the US; enjoy parades, concerts, parties and other special events to celebrate Hawaiian culture.
Read Reviews of Aloha Festivals | 2250 Kalakaua Ave #315, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
DIFFERENT PLACE TO STAY: WAIMEA PLANTATION COTTAGES
Photo by Andy Price | CC BY-SA 2.0
Stay at an authentic plantation cottage set in a peaceful coconut grove by the ocean and discover a glimpse of the simple life that would have been found at a sugar plantation in the 19th Century.
Read Reviews for Waimea Plantation Cottages | 9400 Kaumualii Hwy, Waimea, Hawaii 96796
READ MORE: See what we found in the rest of the USA
DIFFERENT PLACE TO EAT: RAINBOW DRIVE-IN
Photo by Amy Meredith | CC BY-ND 2.0
Rainbow Drive-In has been offering value for money, local foods for over 50 years. These include loco moco, fried rice and their mix plate of BBQ beef, Wahoo fish and boneless chicken.
Read Reviews of Rainbow Drive-In | 3308 Kanaina Ave, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
HAVE SOME FUN: DIAMOND HEAD STATE MONUMENT
As if the views at the end of the hike weren’t enough, even the way to get to Diamond Head is interesting. The 3/4 mile (1.1km) hike is not particularly difficult, but does cross uneven rocks, ascends 74 steps, then takes you through a tunnel. You then climb up 99 more steps before finally coming through a small tunnel and up a spiral staircase of 43 final steps. Finally, you come out inside a coastal artillery observation platform from 1908 and can admire the stunning view.
Read Reviews of Diamond Head State Monument | Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
FILM LOCATION: HALEAKALA CRATER
The crater of Haleakalā measures over 7 miles (11km) across and 2 miles (3km) wide, and is so vast it has other smaller volcano cones within it! Making up 75% of the island Maui, with the other 25% being Kahalawai, you really can’t escape volcanoes on Maui! The crater was used as the surroundings of Skytower in the film Oblivion.
Read Reviews of Haleakala Crater | Hawaii 96790
FUN FACT
Ka Lae is the southernmost point in the United States, yes, more southern than the famous southernmost point in Florida! It is located at 18:54:49 N 155:41:00 W and there is a constant 27 knots per hour wind blowing east to west, 24 hours per day and 365 days per year.
Island of, Naalehu, Hawaii 96772
SOMETHING DIFFERENT: BLACK SAND BEACH
Volcanic sand, unsurprisingly, is black, and when deposited by the ocean, forms this incredible black sand beach. You can also explore Waianapanapa State Park’s other attractions, which include blowholes, lava tubes and freshwater caves.
Read Reviews of Wai’anapanapa State Park | Waianapanapa State Park, Hana, Hawaii 96713
MUSEUM: SHANGRI LA
Photo by karendesuyo | CC BY 2.0
Sharing its name with the fictional place from James Hilton’s 1933 novel ‘Lost Horizon’, this museum showcases Islamic art from the Doris Duke Foundation’s collection as well as architecture from the building itself.
Read Reviews for Shangri La | 4055 Papu Cir, Honolulu, Hawaii 96816
SCENIC DRIVE: HANA HIGHWAY
This sixty-mile coastal drive will take you through stunning vistas, past many waterfalls and through lush rainforest.
READ MORE: See what we found in the rest of the USA
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RESOURCES | PLAN YOUR TRIP TO HAWAII
To book flights, rental cars, accommodations, and activities for your trip, please check out our recommended travel providers, favourite apps and websites.
These are a few tours we would recommend for your trip to Hawaii, USA.
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